The instructions say to do the first vial within 30 minutes of waking between 6-8 a.m. I've been waking up stupid early, like 2 or 3 a.m. and may or may not get back to sleep, which I know screws things up (part of why I'm getting tested)

I guess I need to follow instructions and then note on forms what is going on.

The critical thing is to take the sample before you've been awake more than about 30mins - that's where the observable ME/CFS related abnormality occurs.

Some options:
- Wake at normal time (eg 2am); collect saliva; then refrigerate it until you can deliver it later in the day.
- Delay test and wait patiently until you have a morning when you sleep in until at least 6am
- In the evening, stay awake a few hours later than usual if that would cause you to sleep until 6-8am

Whenever you take the sample, refrigerate until you are ready to deliver it.

Who knows when I'll sleep normally again (and I mean normal for me which is still abnormal) and staying up late only means I'll get less than 3 hours sleep I am getting. I had about 3 hours sleep Friday night and I still only slept 3 hours last night.

I have to get 4 samples throughout out the day.

I'll see how my sleep is tonight. If normal I'll do the test, if not I'll call them and see what they say. My sleep deprived brain couldn't think that far ahead.

I did this test last month (still waiting to see results and talk to my doc, also waiting on several other tests). I think you should just mark the changed times on the sheet. Because if it's normal to YOU, then that would be a good place to measure. Just my thoughts.

@Soundthealarm21 The thing is, this is not normal for me. I used to wake around 3 but I always went back to sleep. This only sleeping 3 hours is new. I'm trying to figure out what is up right now. It could be a few things.

@minkeygirl Then yes if that is NOT normal for YOU then don't do it. I actually had to restart my test. The first attempt I did it in the morning but was having a really horrible day physically and mentally that did not reflect a normal day for me so I washed the tube out and started again a couple days later.

Sorry you're having such horrible sleep!! I have to take bucket loads of stuff to sleep through the night.

If it were me, I would take your first three samples as directed (even if you have to wake yourself up for the first one) and then do your final sample when you wake at 4AM instead of at midnight (and then note that on the form).

this is also an issue for me if you sleep and wake up/usually sleep and wake up far from the time as the instruction (wake up at 8 am sleep @ 11 pm) do you still collect them according to your sleep pattern or you have to force change your sleep pattern which could change again.
especially how about people who tend to change sleep pattern / dont/ cant sleep at the same time